ORLANDO, Fla. — In an exciting matchup on Saturday, Florida A&M edged out Bethune-Cookman with a final score of 41-38. Thad Franklin Jr. shined for the Rattlers, amassing an impressive 195 rushing yards and scoring three touchdowns, while Kelvin Dean contributed with 103 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Franklin’s performance was instrumental in the game, particularly his 2-yard touchdown run that equalized the score at 24-24 with 7:49 remaining in the third quarter. He showcased his speed and agility again shortly after, breaking free for a remarkable 70-yard touchdown run that expanded Florida A&M’s lead to 34-24 with just over 12 minutes left in the game. His scoring efforts included a 17-yard rush in the opening quarter as well.

On the other hand, Dean also made significant contributions, completing the game with 14 carries, including an 11-yard touchdown run that pushed the score to 41-31 with 2:23 to go. Quarterback Daniel Richardson had a solid performance, completing 14 of 20 passes for 180 yards, along with one touchdown and one interception for Florida A&M, which improved their record to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

For the Wildcats, Dennis Palmer had a standout display, running for 178 yards and finding the end zone three times on 37 carries. Quarterback Cam’Ron Ransom completed 11 of his 21 attempts, totaling 196 passing yards, with one touchdown and one interception to his credit. Maleek Huggins was a key target, catching seven passes for 177 yards, highlighted by a 56-yard touchdown reception. Additionally, Huggins made an impact on special teams, scoring on a remarkable 77-yard punt return.

In summary, both teams delivered thrilling performances in a high-scoring game, with Florida A&M ultimately overcoming Bethune-Cookman to secure the narrow victory.